Animal and Human Bites
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Do you have signs of decreased blood flow at or near the bite injury?
See significance of signs of decreased blood flow if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Note: If bleeding is the main symptom, see how to stop bleeding
.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Is the skin below the bite pale and cold (pallor) to the touch?
Yes Do you have tingling, burning, numbness, or a "pins-and-needles" feeling (paresthesia) below the bite injury?
Yes Do you have severe pain below a bite that is not part of the injury?
Yes Do you have decreased blood flow below a bite based on the pinch test?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: June 30, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
 | ||